Repairing a Split Table Top on Antique Furniture, a Fixing Furniture Restoration

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  • Опубліковано 23 гру 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 204

  • @mikel1199
    @mikel1199 2 місяці тому +44

    I personally prefer a conservative approach to restoration, but if you know keeping a flaw will cause the piece to break, I think it's best to make the modification to keep it functional for the longest possible time. Thanks for the great video!

    • @harrying882
      @harrying882 2 місяці тому

      This table was around 1920, even to an amateur the original didn’t have a drawer.

    • @linroo913
      @linroo913 Місяць тому

      @@harrying882he mentions this in the video.

    • @rjpaulsen1
      @rjpaulsen1 19 днів тому

      If fixing it in a way that allows the table to last another 100-years, then your fix is just part of the table's history.

  • @VickiAnkney
    @VickiAnkney 5 днів тому

    Greatest 41 min. I've ever sat thru on furnuture repair. Again great job

  • @Dale-p1e
    @Dale-p1e 2 місяці тому +11

    It’s such a beautiful table. To fix it to cure the problem is the way to go. The small metal clips are totally concealed. It would appear that someone added the drawer so originality is gone anyway. I say you fixed it for another 100 years use. Great job. I think the original builder would like it.

  • @augustwest8559
    @augustwest8559 Місяць тому +7

    Too me it looks like someone took a table that didn’t have a drawer and put one in. They used the apron for the drawer front and the rail.
    Nice work Scott.

    • @tenaoconnor7510
      @tenaoconnor7510 Місяць тому +1

      That’s what I was thinking. The table didn’t have a drawer and someone put one in, that’s why the two pegs that don’t make sense.

  • @bleu8883
    @bleu8883 Місяць тому +3

    I have a few years on you and no longer run a stripping/refinishing shop. It's rewarding to watch you and listen to your soothing delivery and earnest mannerisms-thank you for your humble representation of a group of craftspeople I fear are not being often replaced Having had draft horses for years , I often used mane or tail hairs where you use floss.If one broke the color of the remaining hair was mostly undetectable.

  • @speedracer2336
    @speedracer2336 2 місяці тому +11

    You and Tom Johnson are the two most professional restorers I have watched!

  • @nicklyons4227
    @nicklyons4227 13 днів тому

    Most relaxing video I've watched in a long time. So cool that the table maintains its character but is functional again.

  • @jonathanchevalier-kg5pb
    @jonathanchevalier-kg5pb 2 місяці тому +2

    Couple more centuries! Part of what makes these valuable is the craftsmanship and history. Yours included!

  • @JHall-jo9rm
    @JHall-jo9rm 2 місяці тому +1

    This is probably one of the most helpful videos in your arsenal - adding it to my "fav" file. Allowing for wood movement is something current restorers (furniture flippers) aren't taking into account, leaving pieces at risk of splitting. Glad you focus on this - it is such helpful info! After restoring a Japanese Tansu - and over 150 wooden nails/pegs - I've become a fan of no nails... and will now use wooden peg repair whenever possible. Love the tip with the magnet!!!!! Why didn't I think of that? :)

  • @lasalleman6792
    @lasalleman6792 2 місяці тому +8

    Very nice. Total attention to detail. Good information on technique.

  • @tundraicesams
    @tundraicesams 2 місяці тому +4

    I feel to really do furniture a justice, it should be restored in a way that it will last for generations to come.

  • @michab4083
    @michab4083 7 днів тому

    I love how my first reaction after you explained the purpose of and the problems with the pegs in the table surface was "ok, but I would preserve them in order to preserve the table's character"... and here we are! Makes me imagine that I really did learn something from watching your videos - maybe I'm not completely hopeless ;-)

  • @troon5488
    @troon5488 2 місяці тому +5

    Make the changes, and make it last. The next craftsman who repairs this in 2217 or so, will appreciate your approach when he delves into the archeology of the table.

  • @TheTiffanyAching
    @TheTiffanyAching 2 місяці тому

    Thanks! Useful info. I appreciate the educational aspects of your videos.

    • @FixingFurniture
      @FixingFurniture  2 місяці тому +1

      Thank you so much for your support! We appreciate that! Scott & Laurie

  • @bbrachman
    @bbrachman 2 місяці тому

    Scott: There is a wonderful continutity to all your repairs. Each piece of furniture is different requiring diffeent tecnhiques. What is constant is you deliberate, gentle actions with doing any opertaion. You have NEVER hurried. You take the time it takes to do the process correctly. Watching for years, I have gotten this one truism about your work.

    • @FixingFurniture
      @FixingFurniture  2 місяці тому

      Well thank you for sharing that observation. I appreciate you mentioning that. Thank you for following along on our channel!

  • @byhammerandhand
    @byhammerandhand 2 місяці тому +7

    I have a good technique for clamping up the table top that would avoid all the hassles. I have three long pieces that I've ripped into triangles, roughly 20-30 degrees. Then using cauls like you have on the bottom, I run some soft twine in figure 8s around the cauls and loosely across the top. Slide in the triangle wedges (also covered with packing tape and rounded over the top edges) into the figure 8s, alternating directions. Gently tap the wedges to tighten the twine. This will both keep the boards flat and pull them together. This works great for very thin pieces but would also work fine for your table top. This was a featured tip that I submitted to Wood Magazine a couple of years ago.

  • @nicolaslapierre293
    @nicolaslapierre293 2 місяці тому +1

    I've been looking for a solution to reattach a wooden tabletop that my grandfather and I made for years. You just gave me the solution with those Figure 8 clips. Thanks for the tip and installation guide.

  • @jeanine6492
    @jeanine6492 2 місяці тому

    Great work, I love the compromise between function and ‘original’? Features - the top pegs. Can’t wait until the next video, it sounds great.

  • @margaret7620
    @margaret7620 2 місяці тому

    What a great amount of information in one program! I love the restoration!

  • @F0XD1E
    @F0XD1E 2 місяці тому +2

    Nicely done! I like the look of the wooden pegs.

  • @deltekkie7646
    @deltekkie7646 Місяць тому

    Hello there. I really enjoy your channel and have learned a lot. I recently got into repairing furniture myself after I retired from full-time work. I am repairing/modifying some chairs for a customer and have learned a lot by doing this. Mostly better and more efficient ways of doing things. I am on a limited budge since I am starting out so I have to manufacture thing that most people buy. These chairs (they are like dining room table chairs) had a webbed back which was old and torn. The customer said their son (who is grown) would be using them and he is a big guy. The customer did not want to have the webbing back in the chairs. I told them the best and strongest way to fix this would be to replace the wedding with rails. The chairs were to have three verical rails to replace the webbing in the back. One was the top and bottom rail that the vitical rails would attach to had two different radiuses. I ran into many challanges I had to sovle in doing this. So I made a jig to bend (warp) the two outside rail to match the two different radiuses. So far this has worked very slick. I also made a jig to old the veritical rails to drill two dowel holes in them. I had an off the shelf dowel hole centering tool but it did not work very well. My setup that I built worked much better and was much faster. Especially since I had 72 holes to drill. One trick I learn from your friend over at "Thomas Johnson Antique Furniture Restoration" was when I was pulling off the top rail of the chairs, I used heat to soften the glue in the rail joint to keep from breaking either the top or side rail in disassembly.
    Great videos! Keep up the good work!

  • @baluzehn5408
    @baluzehn5408 Місяць тому

    Beim restaurieren ist das sich Zeit nehmen sehr wichtig. Danke für das sehr gute Video.

  • @evanpenny348
    @evanpenny348 2 місяці тому +2

    The dental floss is a great idea, and I have heard it suggested that using compressed air works well. I have used the latter with great results.

  • @MattKnowsThat
    @MattKnowsThat 2 місяці тому +2

    Nicely done. My approach to most antiques that need modified is similar to what Jay Leno does with vintage cars; make improvements that they should’ve or would’ve done at the time if they’d known about them or had the materials or tools. Also, it depends on the intervention of the fate of the piece. I refinished a piece that needed extensive repair but without it the piece would have been thrown in the trash.

  • @rowejon
    @rowejon 2 місяці тому +3

    If using crosshead screws in awkward places you can superglue the screw to the tip of the screwdriver. It's just enough to get the screw started but easy to break loose.

    • @fortmacmom3122
      @fortmacmom3122 2 місяці тому +2

      What a smart idea

    • @rowejon
      @rowejon 2 місяці тому

      @@fortmacmom3122 Thank you.

  • @samurai352
    @samurai352 2 місяці тому +1

    I'd call and ask the customer what they want!
    Great work as usual!

  • @schechnera
    @schechnera 2 місяці тому

    Great work as always, Scotty. I like the floss technique.

  • @geoffreyopulski138
    @geoffreyopulski138 2 місяці тому

    holy crap !!!! i'm impressed!!!!!! i would love to have teach this in my group on face book. if you're interested in doing that. great work clear concise video .. Great instructions. you sir are a credit to this trade.

  • @borge2014
    @borge2014 2 місяці тому

    With experience, one acquires intellectual knowledge, and is how the use of dental floss to glue tight cracks, a story stick to level legs, and a piece of veneer to add a bit of height to a drawer channel are used so ingeniously, thank you Scott for sharing your expertise!

  • @SamStGeorge
    @SamStGeorge 2 місяці тому +3

    What glue do you use and link please. Thanks

  • @peterjohnston6527
    @peterjohnston6527 2 місяці тому +4

    Great techniques, informative interesting and practical

  • @JMRRead
    @JMRRead 2 місяці тому +2

    Dental floss. Genius! Another tool for my box.

  • @SparrowStockwell
    @SparrowStockwell 2 місяці тому +1

    You did good work, Scott.

  • @KevinCoop1
    @KevinCoop1 2 місяці тому

    Very enjoyable! Wood is beautiful for furniture. It looked like there was a wood strip originally on the end grain of the top. At 27:30 it looked like the new rail was about 3/16” low in the back with the drawer pushed in.

  • @gingerdunn6590
    @gingerdunn6590 2 місяці тому

    That looks great you fixed everything that was wrong with the table . Prayers 🙏 and Love 🤟 From Ginger

  • @rickpadgett1999
    @rickpadgett1999 2 місяці тому

    Nice solid work and clear video of what you are doing. Will add dental floss to glue tech in my tool box.

  • @TorBoy9
    @TorBoy9 2 місяці тому +1

    Meticulously done, great work!

  • @marcburton8899
    @marcburton8899 2 місяці тому

    Bonjour super travail on apprend beaucoup de choses sur le travail du bois merci Belgique 🇧🇪

  • @lindamarsh6711
    @lindamarsh6711 2 місяці тому

    I go with using some modern fixes to prevent further damage in the future. Great job by the way! I’m glad I live in dry southern Alberta where the humidity doesn’t affect our furniture as much. Biggest problem is antiques are hard to come by. We have collectibles. Most of ours are from late 1800s to 1950s. If you are rich or a founding family, they have many antiques.

    • @philipliethen519
      @philipliethen519 Місяць тому

      The vernacular I’m familiar with has an “antique” to be something a century old with something notably older termed an “heirloom” (though especially something passed on down a family).

  • @ChrisDuke66
    @ChrisDuke66 Місяць тому

    Excellent video. I will get some hide glue now. And fix a wooden trunk too! thanks

  • @thedevilinthecircuit1414
    @thedevilinthecircuit1414 Місяць тому +2

    The piece appears to have originally a plain table with four skirt boards. It was later modified to add the drawer.

  • @billballeza377
    @billballeza377 Місяць тому

    Those clamping cauls with divots to span the joint is brilliant! Mind if I borrow that idea?

  • @hetedeleambacht6608
    @hetedeleambacht6608 Місяць тому

    ive been trying to 'restore' an old cabinet myself, i wish i watched your video before i did that!!

    • @FixingFurniture
      @FixingFurniture  Місяць тому

      Next month, I'm restoring an old cabinet. That one might help you too. Cheers. Scott

  • @helensherrod1238
    @helensherrod1238 2 місяці тому

    Thank you for showing me how to use a Japanese pole saw I was given one by a friend and I always had a hard time working with it now I know why

  • @212caboose
    @212caboose 2 місяці тому +2

    IMO, there's nothing wrong with modification of a piece, in the name of preservation. As long as the modification can be done in such a way, that it isn't immediately noticeable. Also, as long as the modification does indeed improve the piece- like what you're doing with the top. You're using a modern method to secure the top, but it allows the wood to do it's thing.
    EDIT: That dental floss trick is AWESOME!!! Thank you!!

  • @Elbowendj
    @Elbowendj 2 місяці тому

    Very interesting and enjoyable, thank you.

  • @BryanStahl-k8t
    @BryanStahl-k8t 2 місяці тому +1

    Glue blocks under the top at the front and back would be consistent with period techniques & would allow for some movement of the top
    Small diameter dowels I use to secure the drawer runners instead of pin nails with the large head which are not period fasteners, the dowels would not interfere with the tenon pegs they would easily glue/bond to them if you end up in contact with them
    I like to still take apart the dovetail drawer joints to remove the nails, it’s extremely rare that I can not get one apart, I sometimes try & remove the nails first, then tap the joint fully apart
    Appreciate your videos

  • @Tla81
    @Tla81 Місяць тому

    My dad told me to use thick thread. I didn’t think of using dental floss! Thank you for this hint!

  • @5hdJHqyUI89
    @5hdJHqyUI89 Місяць тому

    i enjoyed this video. Thank you!

  • @hollygolightly8048
    @hollygolightly8048 2 місяці тому

    Came to your channel by fiat. Wow! Learned a lot. Clone yourself so I can bring an 1800’s silver chest to you for repairs in the states.

  • @billbucktube
    @billbucktube 2 місяці тому

    Like it. Good observations, good technique.

  • @tenaoconnor7510
    @tenaoconnor7510 Місяць тому

    I like videos where I learn something I can use immediately. I have a Hoosier cupboard I need to fix the drawer slides, one of them is only half there and they are all loose. Also I have an old kitchen table that the top is split. The table isn’t an antique it’s just old, it was my grandmas kitchen/work table from when they lived in the basement while grampa built the house so it’s more sentimental for me but I want to fix it right this time.

  • @rlevitta
    @rlevitta 19 днів тому

    This is very interesting to me, even though I don’t repair furniture - sort of. I make furniture, but in the process of making furniture sometimes I make mistakes. Which means I have to repair the mistake so, like I said, very interesting.

  • @carolynbriggs6972
    @carolynbriggs6972 8 днів тому

    Could the drawer have been added sometime after it was built? Accounting for the filled joints and extra pegs at the front?

  • @robandsharonseddon-smith5216
    @robandsharonseddon-smith5216 2 місяці тому +24

    100% modify. Keep the look but make it last.

    • @keithhaycraft3765
      @keithhaycraft3765 2 місяці тому +5

      I agree, especially if the modifications are not intrusive.

  • @docnielsen
    @docnielsen 2 місяці тому +1

    That's a beautiful piece :)

  • @ScooterMLS1960
    @ScooterMLS1960 2 місяці тому

    That was a lot of good information!

  • @MASI_forging
    @MASI_forging 2 місяці тому

    Great work as always 😍😍

  • @willseames59
    @willseames59 2 дні тому

    What type of screwdriver is that Sir? Very cool and interested to know more about it, thank you!

  • @jeanloreaud9282
    @jeanloreaud9282 2 місяці тому

    Très joli travail,,à bientôt salut Jeannot 🛠😉

  • @bazzaham8552
    @bazzaham8552 Місяць тому

    If I did this levelling I would end up with a coffee table good work .

  • @helenascheele5922
    @helenascheele5922 2 місяці тому

    Wonderful! 2 questions; why don’t everybody use reversabel hide glue? I find it difficult to start sawing (trembling hands). Could I use the chisel to mark the line? Thanks!😊

  • @Robert-nj8io
    @Robert-nj8io 2 місяці тому

    Nice job scott

  • @paulschaefer5241
    @paulschaefer5241 2 місяці тому +1

    My feeling about antiques is you want to preserve the appearence as much as possible. Making a modification to help it last longer is great so long as it doesn't alter the appearence of the item.

    • @FixingFurniture
      @FixingFurniture  2 місяці тому

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts on that. I appreciate it!

  • @BakerVS
    @BakerVS 2 місяці тому

    I have a similar table made out of walnut with a two drawers on the front. My was probably made in weatern Switzerland. The tabletop is held on with four pegs, and it also developed cracks. I wonder if people used to commonly attach tabletops that way?

  • @cynthiafisher9907
    @cynthiafisher9907 2 місяці тому +1

    I have a small kitchen table that’s about 100 years old that is painted. The top is cupped and someone leaned on one side and part of it broke off, about 6-8”. How can I repair it? If I just glue It back together it will still be cupped and I don’t know how to make it flat. Thanks!

  • @asbrand
    @asbrand 2 місяці тому

    Excellent work! I do have one question: Why didn't you attempt to stain that drawer runner to match the other? Stands out like a sore thumb if you pull the drawer out, or look from underneath.

    • @Emilou139
      @Emilou139 2 місяці тому

      Agree. A light wash with potassium permanganate would age the pine to a more suitable aged look

    • @DouglasCarnall
      @DouglasCarnall 2 місяці тому +2

      I prefer the new wood to stand out at first then age naturally. If the table and the repair last another century, the new rail will be much less flagrant

  • @peter-pg5yc
    @peter-pg5yc 2 місяці тому

    Learned some tricks thanks

  • @thomasgrubbs707
    @thomasgrubbs707 Місяць тому

    I can not find high glue. Can you recommend the product you use. My search only returns hide glue.

  • @michaelcaprio5269
    @michaelcaprio5269 2 місяці тому +1

    36:00 maybe it would be cool to have two laser levels set up on the X and Y dimensions of the bench to show lines on things like legs when they aren't level

  • @pettere8429
    @pettere8429 2 місяці тому

    Would hot hide glue not have been more convenient for the veneer? Also, do you mix your own liquid hide glue?

  • @Timetraveler1111MN
    @Timetraveler1111MN 2 місяці тому

    What product did you use to glue the top together?

  • @Pete.Ty1
    @Pete.Ty1 2 місяці тому +1

    👍👍👍 Advise the customer and follow their instructions. Thanks

  • @Tla81
    @Tla81 Місяць тому +1

    I would rather have a piece of furniture to be functional and as much as original as possible.

  • @ransomdaniels8395
    @ransomdaniels8395 2 місяці тому

    What genius way to open a crack! But wouldn't gluing the tongue-and-groove boards be the same as nailing them together so they don't move? (You can tell I'm not a real woodworker) Beautiful job!

  • @CBWiesner
    @CBWiesner Місяць тому

    I usually use a ferriors rasp for trimming down the tall leg,

  • @kentrichardson9070
    @kentrichardson9070 2 місяці тому

    I use a shop vac under a crack to pull glue through a crack. Works great. Cheers

  • @DraganIlich-r1s
    @DraganIlich-r1s 2 місяці тому

    Thank you Sir.🎉

  • @j.d.1488
    @j.d.1488 2 місяці тому

    Very cool. Candle wax preference over butchers wax?

    • @FixingFurniture
      @FixingFurniture  2 місяці тому +1

      Yes, give it a try and see what you think. Cheers

  • @167curly
    @167curly 2 місяці тому +1

    A very nice and simple-looking two centuries old table, Scott. Congratulations on repairing and restoring it.

  • @timharris6835
    @timharris6835 2 місяці тому +1

    Every serious furniture restorer is faced with questions of replacing or fixing timber parts that are compromised in some way, important furniture can sometimes warrant a creative approach in order to retain originality but it is never easy or clear cut how to proceed. It can be very time consuming in order to save structural features and finishes.

  • @beulahmcgraw5213
    @beulahmcgraw5213 2 місяці тому

    What marking gauge do you use?

  • @iananderson7113
    @iananderson7113 2 місяці тому

    Love your videos but how about talking more about the kinds of woods your furniture is made from. Many thanks, Ian in Cape Town South Africa

    • @fortmacmom3122
      @fortmacmom3122 2 місяці тому

      Canada….oak, walnut, maple, pine are the common ones. And old stuff…oak and some walnut usually. Not much variety. Sometimes there is some other kind.

  • @thomasmartin6817
    @thomasmartin6817 2 місяці тому

    Why not use fine finish btad cut nails from Tremont for a more period correct restoration? I've found them to be very strong in use and by design, not likely to split end or face grain... especially if pre drilled with 1/16 in. drill bit and glued at joining surfaces.

  • @michaelvitetta7231
    @michaelvitetta7231 2 місяці тому +1

    Could the drawer have been added and not part of the original table?

  • @dpmeyer4867
    @dpmeyer4867 Місяць тому

    good work

  • @patboudotlamot
    @patboudotlamot 2 місяці тому

    excellent travail

  • @scotcherton
    @scotcherton 11 днів тому

    Adding some tweaks or modern modifications are more verses added to a poem. It's notes in the margin. It's the continuation of the story of that item. Most likely, mods have already been made to have a piece has lasted, so adding your touch that gives more life is a worthwhile addition to a piece, especially if still in use to a degree.

  • @michaelshade949
    @michaelshade949 Місяць тому

    Are you using Hide Glue or is it High glue? Can you please clarify what glue type you are using please?

    • @FixingFurniture
      @FixingFurniture  Місяць тому

      It's called hide glue (aka protein glue or animal glue). Hope that helps. Scott

  • @annmwende432
    @annmwende432 Місяць тому

    Wir nehmen Gold ! Hat immer funktioniert....

  • @anthonypeterson5618
    @anthonypeterson5618 2 місяці тому

    Nice programming. Could u add glossary if terms in ur description? I almost forgot the name "hi glue" a term I'm not familiar with. And thx!

    • @FixingFurniture
      @FixingFurniture  2 місяці тому

      The glue is called “hide glue”. We have downloadable reference sheets available as part of our Fixing Furniture Community Membership. See www.fixingfurniture.com

  • @philipselman2564
    @philipselman2564 2 місяці тому

    Sure like all of your vids there scott !

  • @Brian-Burke
    @Brian-Burke 2 місяці тому

    Incredible work as usual, Scott. Did you think of the dental floss trick yourself? Genius. I have a general question about level. Sometimes the bubble is indeed within the lines, but it's closer to one side a little. Is that still considered level?

    • @FixingFurniture
      @FixingFurniture  2 місяці тому +1

      I don't know when I started using dental floss so I won't take credit for the idea. As for level, you want the bubble in the middle but it depends on what you're working on. For something long, that little bit might make a difference, but for something shorter, I don't worry about it. It's your preference.

    • @Brian-Burke
      @Brian-Burke 2 місяці тому

      @@FixingFurniture That makes sense. Thanks, Scott!

    • @richardhands8381
      @richardhands8381 Місяць тому

      I usually blow glue into a joint. Puts glue everywhere in the joint and it is quick to do.

  • @rh598
    @rh598 2 місяці тому

    When discussing the function of the figure 8 clips, aren't the pegs working against them? Thanks
    That would be the hidden pegs.

  • @michaelramar8726
    @michaelramar8726 Місяць тому

    hi...
    have you ever tried using a straw to blow the glue into the crack?

  • @Timetraveler1111MN
    @Timetraveler1111MN 2 місяці тому

    That’s a tougher question for a piece that’s beautiful and old and charter. Umm my first reaction was to make it last, but I really like the wood and the character so in this piece I would say let it have the character and it’s not gonna be perfect. The black table that you did with the intricate work that was cut on four sides and I had a, lower shelf on it like a side table that one I thought you would fix it to be perfect instead of fill it with wax, but I guess because it was such a black coloration. I’m not sure what the reason for not making that one look closer to.seamless?

  • @zimmejoc
    @zimmejoc Місяць тому

    I wonder of the drawer was added later hence the pegs in the front to hold the tenon that was no longer needed once the drawer was added.

  • @dhscts
    @dhscts 2 місяці тому

    Thanks for sharing

  • @nowwhatwhere
    @nowwhatwhere 2 місяці тому

    So much info!

  • @dirtfarmer7472
    @dirtfarmer7472 Місяць тому

    I’ve got a question, how much time did it take you to get this little project done. I ask that question every time I watch a video about doing things.

    • @philipliethen519
      @philipliethen519 Місяць тому

      I will expect the answer to be: “as long as it takes”, as it totally depends on the person doing the work: any two seasoned furniture restoration people will take different amounts of time varying by their methods.